'It wasn't good enough': Raiders apologise, say they are 'best mates' after Vegas hotel fight
Updated . First published at
The two Canberra players involved in a Las Vegas hotel scuffle have fronted up and apologised.
Origin player Hudson Young and his English teammate Morgan Smithies were caught brawling after a late-night drinking session in Sin City barely a week out from their NRL season opener.
The incident allegedly happened inside a hotel elevator, and security was alerted when an emergency button was bumped or pressed.
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Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and CEO Don Furner addressed the incident on Monday.
In the early hours of Tuesday (AEDT) both Young and Smithies fronted cameras, including Nine's, to explain themselves.
"I want to apologise for the actions on Thursday night. It wasn't good enough," Young said.
Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies apologies in Las Vegas. Nine
"The NRL invests so much time and effort into this game. It's such a great space to be a part of here in Vegas and a great spectacle. Things got a bit out of hand on Thursday night. I'm embarrassed for myself, our teammates and the NRL.
"We are best mates. He was at mine for Christmas and our partners are travelling America at the moment so there's no issues there.
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"I spoke to my partner, but there was nothing to say because we're best mates.
"I feel awful, especially for my family as well. It's a massive thing for them coming over here and they have to deal with this as well."
Smithies was sporting a black eye but said he got that during a training session rather than the hotel fight.
According to reports from The Sydney Morning Herald, the players fought in the hotel elevator before being escorted out by security.
The pair was in possession of an inflatable baseball bat.
They were later allowed to return to their rooms, despite initially being incorrectly taken to one of the Penrith player's rooms at the hotel.
Canberra will take on the Warriors in the second of four games on Sunday (AEDT).
